An Ode to “Voluntourism”
The Tennessee River Valley’s rich bio-diverse habitat also serves as an important recreational and commercial address for the people and communities located in the watershed. The challenges of stewarding the public lands and waterways begins with the agencies that are charged with protecting the lands and waters, and extends to the many non-profit friends groups that build trails, pick up litter, organize public programs, and work to conserve these wide open spaces for future generations.
Across the Valley, there is a movement for friends groups to partner with public agencies and private entities including visitors to the area. On any given weekend, you may find the Friends of Land Between the Lakes guiding a paddling group that is also assisting with litter collection; a Knoxville brewery hosting a tap night to raise funds for Keep Tennessee River Beautiful; a kayak regatta event hosted by the Alabama Scenic Rivers to introduce youth to river paddling and river conservation, a TVA hosted BioBlitz on public lands; or one of the many bike/ hike trail clubs that host trail day days across the region.
Voluntourism is geotourism. Kudos to all of the voluntourists who engage, learn, and explore.
(use with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful) https://www.tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/content/conservation-comes-naturally-in-the-tennessee-river-valley/ten13b09b91b4f0f64cb
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